Edit Cualac tessellatus

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Name

Scientific name

Cualac tessellatus

Described by

Authority Miller, Year 1956

Family

Cyprinodontidae

Common names

Checkered Pupfish

Photograph credits

All 16 credited

Summary

The checkered pupfish, Cualac tessellatus, is a cyprinodontid endemic to a handful of springs in the Río Verde valley, San Luis Potosí, Mex…

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

70mm, standard length

Aquarium size

Minimum length 60 cm, Minimum depth 30 cm

Water

Water conditions

Temperature 20–30°C, pH 7.5–8.5

Hardness

45–53dGH

Conductivity

Not recorded

Behaviour

Temperament

Peaceful

Community suitability

Not for a community

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Mexico, La Media Luna, Verde

Writing

Etymology

Cualac: derived from a Mexican place name of Indian (Nahuatl) origin which means "where there is good water", in reference to the species' type locality at Med…

Distribution

Endemic to a handful of natural springs in the Río Verde valley, San Luis Potosí state, Central Mexico and currently listed as 'Endangered' by the IUCN. The va…

Habitat

The Río Verde valley is largely composed of Calcium sulphate (gypsum) and all this species' habitats are fed by groundwater springs, some of which are thermal …

The Río Verde valley is largely composed of Calcium sulphate (gypsum) and all this species' habitats are fed by groundwater springs, some of which are thermal and maintain a constant temperature year-round.

La Media Luna is the largest of the latter and consists of a deep pool of around 100 m diameter where the spring water enters, a natural drainage channel which extends eastwards from the main pool for around a kilometre and three man-made irrigation channels, two of which extend from the main pool and one from the natural channel.

The water is crystal clear, very hard and holds a temperature between 26 – 30 °C79 – 86 °F.

Aquatic vegetation consists mostly of Nymphaea spp. water lilies, and at certain times of year filamentous algae proliferates. Substrate is mostly detritus and mud with large chunks of submerged wood in some areas.

C. tessellatus is apparently not found in large numbers and mostly inhabits shallow, marginal zones of the main pool and natural channel.

Other locally endemic species to be found here include Ataeniobius toweri, Herichthys bartoni, Ictalurus mexicanus, Dionda dichroma and D. mandibularis.

Naturally-occuring but non-endemic species include Poecilia mexicana and Astyanax fasciatus. There's also an endemic yellow form of Herichthys labridens which is now hybridising with introduced H. carpintis, and other introduced species include Poecilia latipunctata, a Gambusia species which has been identified as either G. atrora or G. panuco, and the African cichlid Oreochromis aureus which is farmed in the area and has become feral in the lagoon.

The surrounding area has also been degraded by tourism, agriculture and aquaculture.

Los anteojitos is a much smaller habitat consisting of two small lagoons connected by a small channel with conditions and water parameters similar to those of La Media Luna.

It ran almost dry for several years as the spring which feeds it was diverted, presumably for agricultural purposes, but water levels and fauna have now been restored (Artigas Azas, pers. comm.).

Other than Ataeniobius toweri we currently have no information as to which other species are found there but satellite images show a number of artificial pools in the vicinity so the presence of Oreochromis is possible.

El Aguaje is smaller still and represents the most northerly extreme of this species' distribution.

It consists of a small pool and natural creek with some surrounding marshland with water temperature varying between 20 – 25 °C68 – 77 °F and conditions generally more turbid than at other localities.

Other species found here include Ataeniobius toweri, Poecilia mexicana, Herichthys bartoni, H. labridens (yellow form), Astyanax fasciatus, Ictalurus mexicanus and the ubiquitous Oreochromis aureus.

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My own experienceFor example, I've kept twelve in a planted 60 cm tank since March 2024.A website I sawFor example, an IUCN Red List assessment, a museum catalogue or a FishBase page.A paperFor example, Marshall et al. (2011), Water temperature differences in interfluvial palm swamp habitats of Paracheirodon axelrodi and P. simulans.A book, or something not onlineFor example, Tappin (2010), Rainbowfishes: their care and keeping in captivity.Something already on the pageFor example, the Behaviour and compatibility section already says this.

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Aquarium size

An aquarium with base dimensions of 60 ∗ 30 cm or equivalent is just about acceptable for a single pair but like most members of the family Cyprinodontidae thi…

Maintenance

Need not be too complicated so long as there are plenty of broken lines-of-sight. Provide plenty of cover in the form of aquatic plants, wool mops, etc., and i…

Water conditions

Temperature: 20 – 30 °C pH: 7.5 – 8.5 Hardness: Probably the most important factor in breeding success with this species; the gH at La Media Luna has been reco…

Diet

Chiefly a micropredator feeding on small aquatic crustaceans, worms, insect larvae and other zooplankton although algae and other plant material is taken as we…

Behaviour and compatibility

This species is rarely available in the aquarium hobby and all efforts at captive breeding are to be encouraged so ideally it should be maintained alone. Howev…

Sexual dimorphism

Males have strongly-marked flanks with highly variable vermiculated markings, yellow to orange pelvic and anal fins, bluish dorsal fin peppered with fine dark …

Reproduction

Captive reproduction is not difficult if the tank or container is properly arranged and maintained. The most important aspect is the provision of very hard wat…

Notes

This species' local vernacular name is 'cachorrito de Media Luna', which literally translates as 'puppy of Media Luna'. You're unlikely to find it on sale in a…

References

4 on this profile

Name

Scientific name

Described by

Family

Common names

Photograph credits

Summary

Size and aquarium

Maximum size

Aquarium size

Water

Water conditions

Hardness

Conductivity

Behaviour

Temperament

Social needs

Community suitability

Where it lives

Countries, regions, rivers and lakes

Writing

Etymology

Distribution

Habitat

Aquarium size

Maintenance

Water conditions

Diet

Behaviour and compatibility

Sexual dimorphism

Reproduction

Notes

References

References